Gray Port Gasket
- Thread starter BoatBum
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My current favorite is closed cell foam insulation stripping from the hardware store. It comes in a range of sizes and widths. It's mondo cheap, especially compared with the "offiicial" stuff. And it works.
I replaced ours by ordering the gasket from the store on this site SBO. They sell it by the foot. It was very easy to install.
I figured that what we need is 1/4 X 1/4 inch square rubber cord stock. That is not too difficult to find but not in the 40 durometer hardness - soft enough to make a good seal.
I went back through the archives, way back when somebody posted on this web site about buying some but there was a minimum purchase of some hundreds of feet. It did however cost maybe less than 50 cents per foot as opposed to $4 for the official stuff. You actually need quite a lot, maybe 30 to 40 inches per portlight. Times 12 portlights that is pricey.
If I have time I will pursue trying to find where it can be bought. I would be happy to split a bulk buy with someone.
My theory is that a lot of damage is done by over tightening portlights trying to get old gaskets to seal, so it is well worth replacing them in good time.
I went back through the archives, way back when somebody posted on this web site about buying some but there was a minimum purchase of some hundreds of feet. It did however cost maybe less than 50 cents per foot as opposed to $4 for the official stuff. You actually need quite a lot, maybe 30 to 40 inches per portlight. Times 12 portlights that is pricey.
If I have time I will pursue trying to find where it can be bought. I would be happy to split a bulk buy with someone.
My theory is that a lot of damage is done by over tightening portlights trying to get old gaskets to seal, so it is well worth replacing them in good time.
They sell the gasket material right here on the SBO website. Considering how long it lasts, it is not really that expensive.
John:
only if they really works. Fixing the damage that leaks can cause can be expensive and/or devalue your investment quickly.
only if they really works. Fixing the damage that leaks can cause can be expensive and/or devalue your investment quickly.
I just got my boat and had a question about the ports. Mine dont seem to leak, but there is water standing behind the lens after a storm. It just sits there until you open the window and it spills all over you. Any fix for that? Or is it by design? They surely dont drain very well.
Only way I know is to mop them out before you open them. This happens on most ports, but it is just worse on some.
Every few months I run a pipe cleaner through the drain because stuff accumulates in it and plugs up the drain. You need to take out the screen to see the drain.
I don't have screens. Wonder why they dont make those things where the lip slopes away from the window from the gasket out? Seems kind of obvious to me.
It does seem obvious. And there is a slight slope on most. I think it goes back to when most cabin trunk sides were vertical. Should not have been that much trouble to make new molds though. I bought new bronze portlights in 2000 and they are the same way. They have a little drop part on each corner that still leaves a half inch of water lying on the spigot. Fortunately they seal well and it is not a problem until you forget and open one. If I were to do it again I would install something that is flush on the outside like the Lewmar( http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|296549|320598&id=857133 ).
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